AsYa OS: Bharosa ~ Page 11 - Page 7

Bharosa

"Ammi, Najma, Mujhe aap dono se kuch baat karni hai." Asad looked down. He hated what he going to say. He didn't want it to be true. But he was not his father. And he would never allow a child to be without his father if he could help it.

"Mein Tanveer se nikaah karne wala hoon. Kal."

The words echoed throughout the high ceilings of the Khan Villa. Dilshad dropped the plate in her hand, and Najma covered her mouth with her hand. Why is he doing this? If Zoya was here, thought Dilshad, she would be in tears. Why Asad, why are you subjecting yourself to a loveless marriage?

"Ammi, I know what you're thinking. There's a reason behind it," he started, his voice raspy from all the crying. "Tanveer, she, she's pregnant."

Pregnant. Pregnant. Pregnant.

"Magar Asad-"

"Nahin Ammi. Mein jaanta hoon aap kya keh ne wali hai. Lekin mein apne abbu jaise nahin hoonga." He smiled ruefully. The first time he referred to him as his father, and still he became like him. "Waise to mein unke jaise banchuka hoon. Lekin kam se kam apni galati ko sudharne ki koshish to kar sakta hoon."

Dilshad and Najma exchanged confused and silent glances. There was no use. Once Asad set his mind to something, no one or nothing could change his mind. Seeing no choice, and with a heavy heart, the two most important women in his life began making the arrangements for Asad and Tanveer's impending nikaah.

Tanveer, who had heard all this from the stairs, was elated. Finally. Finally, what she'd been working towards for so long would become a reality. Soon she would be Mrs. Asad Ahmed Khan. She smiled evilly and swiftly skipped to her room, leaving behind not one, but three broken hearts.

* * * * * * *

Rashid was pacing in his room. Zoya was still nowhere to be found. He had to tell her. He had to tell her what he had found out. But why wasn't she answering her phone? He knew she'd been gone for over a month now. But she had to know this truth. His dost's and his son's happiness depended on it.

He tried her number once more, but to no avail. He had to find a way. Determined, yet unsure of what to do, he continued pacing, racking his brain.

* * * * * * *

Ayaan sat on his bed strumming his guitar, wondering where Humeira was, cursing himself once again for being so cruel to her. She was his friend after all. How could he have done that? His guilt had grown exponentially day by day, as he kept getting the same vague answer from the police in their search for her.

As pondered Humeira's whereabouts, Ayaan's phone started buzzing on the bed. He turned, and lunged at it, thinking it might be the inspector with news about Humeira.

"Hello?"

"Raabart..." said a feeble voice on the other end of the line.

"M-Mona... MONA! Zoya! Aap, aap kahan hai! Aap jaanti hai, bhaijaan aapko kitni behsabari se dhund rahe hain!"

Zoya smiled sadly. What all they'd both gone through in this last month, all because of a lie. Tanveer's lie. Zoya gritted her teeth, but quickly composed herself, as she knew she needed to find a way to talk to Mr. Khan.

"Raabart.. mujhse bohot badi galati hui hai. Meine.. meine tumhare bhaijaan par bharosa nahin kiya. Hamesha se karti aayi hoon. Aur uss din, jab mujhe un par sabse zyaada karna chaiye tha, mein kamzor padgai," began Zoya, her voice cracking. "Lekin ab mujhe apni galati sudharni hai. Mujhe Mr. Khan se milna hai. Tum jaante ho woh kahan hai?"

Ayaan was dumbstruck. What was she saying? That she didn't trust him? Did she know something? What was going on? "Mona, aap kuch jaanti hai? Aap yeh kya keh rahi hain?"

"Raabart mein ab tumhe kuch nahin bata sakti hai. Tum ek kaam karo, tum apne bhaijaan se kaho ki unke ghar ke paas jo jaaga hai, woh mujhe vahan mile. Unse yeh kaho, ki uss jaga par, jahan hamari dua qubool hui thi, woh hamein wahi mile. Itna karoge mere liye?" she asked hopefully. He will come. She knows he will come. He has to.

Still confused, and curious, Ayaan agreed. "Theek hai, Mona. Mein bhaijaan se kahoonga. Lekin kab?"

"Kal. Kal shaam, do baje. Mein unka intezaar karoongi," replied Zoya. "Over and out." And with that she bid Ayaan goodbye and hung up.

* * * * * * *

Rashid walked around his house, still thinking of how to convey the message to Zoya. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to find a panting Ayaan.

"Ayaan? Kya hua? Tum theek ho?" asked a concerned Rashid.

"Jee abbu. Humein kuch nahin hua. Darasal baat yeh hai, ki mujhe, mujhe Zoya ne phone kiya. Aur, woh, woh bhaijaan se milna chati hai. Lekin usne mujhse aur kuch nahi kaha. Aapko kya lagta hai? Unne kuch pata hoga na?" explained Ayaan.

Rashid froze. Zoya, she was finally back. But... how did she contact Ayaan if she didn't have her phone?

"Ayaan, kya tumhare paas Zoya ka number hai? Usne tumhe kahan se phone kiya?" he fired his questions frantically, relieved at finally having some contact with Zoya.

"Unno ne mujhe call kiya. Ek minute. Let me see if I can call her back," tried Ayaan.

He hit redial on the recent call menu, and waited patiently, as the phone rand on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Mona? Salaam Walikum."

Walikum Salaam, Raabart. Tumne Mr. Khan itni jaldi baat karli?" asked a confused Zoya.

"Nahin, rukiye. Abbu aapse baat karna chate hain." With that he handed the phone to Rashid.

"Dost?"

"Dost? Aap? Bataiye, kya baat hai?" she asked, still confused.

"Dost, meri baat guar se suno," began Rashid, making his way to his own bedroom. This was a delicate matter and he would have to handle it accordingly. "Mujhe Tanveer ke barein mein kuch aur pata chala hai."

* * * * * * *

A few hours later, Ayaan decided he should tell his bhaijaan about Zoya in person. Still confused about Zoya's words, he thought back to that night, the night of their nikaah. Why was she saying that she should've trusted him? Did that mean that nothing happened? But then why does his bhaijaan think it did? He sighed. It was all so confusing. I guess only Zoya can clarify this.

He jumped over the plants, and made his way to his bhaijaan's window. The sight before him, broke his heart.

Asad was sitting on the floor, his back to the foot of his bed, his legs against his chest, holding Zoya's earring in his hand, and crying silently. He'd lost her. She would never forgive him. And he didn't expect her to either. He'd been so afraid to love, so afraid to hurt someone. And despite his mother's constant assurance that he couldn't possibly hurt her, here he sat. Proving once again, that you can't change your blood. His tears fell freely,streaming down his chiseled cheeks.

Ayaan's eyes moistened at seeing his brother in such a state. His hero, his bhai jaan was so defeated, so broken. He jumped in through the window, and silently made his way to his brother. He kneeled and sat himself next to him. He turned to see more tears on his brother's cheeks. Ayaan put his hand on his brother's shoulder, causing Asad to blink and turn towards him.

Without a second thought, Asad lunged at him and embraced him in a hug. Ayaan, startled at his brother's actions, composed himself and returned the hug with equal force. So many unsaid feelings were expressed with that one action. Their brotherly love, Asad's misery, his disappointment in himself, his aching for Zoya, Ayaan's pain at seeing his brother so broken and both the brother's wonder, of what Allah had in store for them, what their fate was.

"Bhaijaan," began Ayaan. He knew why his brother was so broken. Or at least he thought he did. But he knew it had to do with Zoya. He had to tell him about her. He had a feeling it would somehow fix everything. "aap shaant ho jaiye. Please."

Asad leaned his head of Ayaan's shoulder for a bit, before lifting it altogether and sitting back up. He fisted Zoya's earring, and wiped his tears with his free hand.

"Bhaijaan, mujhe... mujhe Zoya ne phone kiya," he spat out.

Asad blinked again. Zoya. The sound of her name brought back flashes of Ajmer. He looked at Ayaan. He smiled sadly. "Ayaan, mujhe Zoya ke baarein mein jaane ka haak bhi nahin raha. Mein usske baarein mein sune ke liye jitna bhi betaab hoon, mujhe usse bhulana parega."

Ayaan was confused. He thought this news would garner a more positive reaction from his brother. "Par Bhaijaan aap-"

"Nahin Ayaan. Meine Zoya ko kaafi duukh diya hai. Aur agar woh ab wapas aayi, toh unne duukh ke alawa aur kuch nahin milega," said Asad, cutting him off.

"Mein... mein Tanveer se nikaah karne wala hoon."

The words rang in Ayaan's ears. Tanveer? TANVEER?

"Bhaijaan, Tanveer? Of all people, Tanveer? Magar kyun? Aap to Zoya se.. Aap... Tanveer to sirf aapki dost hai. She's your friend. Aap aise kaise-" started Ayaan, only to be cut off again.

"Ayaan, yeh mera akhri faisla hai. Aur mein isse hargis nahin badal loonga. Mein isse chahakar bhi nahin badal sakta. Kal mera nikaah hai. Tum aaoge, to mujhe hosla doge. Please." Asad looked at his baby brother with pleading eyes, begging him to understand. He wouldn't tell him why. He couldn't mouth the words again. The very idea of a child being caught in the middle pained him. But he couldn't subject to the same misery he'd undergone. The same misery, Zoya had been through.

Ayaan looked at his brother. His heart went out to him. He knew the misery he was feeling. Yet he couldn't understand why he would marry the woman with whom he'd make that mistake on the day of nikaah. But he knew his brother well. Once decided, no one could change his mind.

Giving up, and understanding his brother's need to be alone, he hugged him one last time, and left through the window once again.

All he could hear, was the sound of soft sobbing, as he climbed over the wall to the other side of the garden.

"I'm sorry, Zoya... I'm so sorry..."

* * * * * * *

The next morning, every one was busy. Zoya was still waiting for Ayaan's phone call. Dilshad and Najma were unenthusiastically preparing for Asad's nikaah to Tanveer. Ayaan was debating what to tell Zoya. Asad was bracing himself for making the most horrifying, though responsible decision of his life. Rashid was praying his dost would be able to reunite with his son. And Tanveer, well Tanveer was gloating shamelessly, about her impending nuptials.

Zoya paced endlessly in the meteor shower spot. It was much earlier that two o'clock. But she couldn't wait. "Allah miya, Raabart ne ab tak phone kyun nahin kiya? Kya Mr. Khan mujhse nahin milenge? Nahin aisa nahin ho sakta. Woh mujhse milne par itne bataab ho rahe the Ajmer mein." Her mind went back to his confession. To when he said, without stammering, without hesitating, that he loved her. That he was in love with her. And that he would continue to love her, until his last breath.

The ringing of her phone snapped her out of her revere, and she patted her pocket, trying to grab it and answer the call as fast as her fingers would let her.

"Hello?"

"Salaam Walikum, Mona," said a stoic Ayaan.

"Walikum Salaam, Rabaart! Toh? Kya kaha Mr. Khan ne? Woh aayenge na? Tumne kaal hi phone kyun nahin kiya? Mein kitni dair se-" but he didn't let her finish her rant.

"Mein jaanta hoon, Mona. Aap shaat ho jaiye. Bhaijaan..." started Ayaan. This was it. The moment he'd been dreading since last night. The moment he'd been pondering for the last twelve hours. How, how would tell her? How would he tell her that his bhaijaan was breaking, not only her heart, but his own, too?

No. He had to tell her. Zoya needed to know. Come what may, she had to face the truth. And the truth was, that his bhaijaan wasn't going to come.

"Mr. Khan... Kya Raabart? Mr. Khan ko kuch hua kya? Allah miya! Kuch to bolo!" shouted Zoya, irked by his silence.

"Bhaijaan nikaah kar rahe hain, Mona. Tanveer se."

* * * * * * *

The words echoed in her head. The irritated and rang in her ears like the sound of nails bring scratched on a green chalk board.

Mr. Khan... nikaah... Tanveer...

Zoya's phone slipped from her fingers, falling to the floor. Her heart stopped, her mind went numb. Tears formed in her eyes. She wondered what it was a stroke felt like, because she quite sure she was having one right now. She stared into space, as her legs gave out, causing her to fall on her knees. Her cheeks now had streams of tears on them, refusing to stop.

Why, she wondered. Why would Mr. Khan marry Tanveer? He doesn't love her. He loves... me. He loves ME! Why, Mr. Khan, why are you doing this? Why...

Her mind started racing with all kinds of possibilities. What all Tanveer could've done to make him make such a decision. Why would he agree? Why would he want to marry the woman with whom he had supposedly betrayed her? That was not the Mr. Khan she knew. Marriage was a sacred thing to him, wasn't it?

Flashes of past events manifested themselves. Tanveer's disdain of the fried fish. Her sudden fainting. The night of the nikaah, when she found them in each other's arms. She cringed. Dost...

Flashback:

"Mujhe Tanveer ke barein mein kuch aur pata chala hai," began Rashid, an urgency in his voice.

"Tanveer? Kya? Kaise?" wondered a baffled Zoya.

"Tumhe yaad hai humne woh chaku mila tha? Uspe fingerprints ke alawa, khoon bhi tha. Aur uss khoon ka humne test karwaya. Dost, woh umeed se hain. And she's at least a month and a half along her cycle."

"Iska matlab woh hum sabse jhoot bol rahi thi? Itne dino se? Allah miya! Dost thank you so much! Aap jaante nahin aapne mujhe kitni kush khabri di hai!"

"Lekin dost, isse tum kiya karogi? I mean, how does this help you?" wondered a confused Rashid.

"Mein aapko baad mein bataoongi! Allah Hafiz!" chirped Zoya.

Tanveer, tum sabse kitne aur sach chupaoge. Lekin yeh sach mein asani se samne laa sakti hoon.

Present:

Her eyes grew wide, as the true reason, the only possible reason, dawned on her. She blinked and looked around. She remembered she had been on the phone. She looked down and grabbed it off the floor.

"Hello?"

"MONA!! Aapne mujhe dara diya! Aap theek to hai na?" screeched a concerned Ayaan. "I'm sorry, Mona, meine bhaijaan to convince karne ki bohot koshish ki. Lekin aap to jaanti hai. Ek baar woh kuch the kar lete hai, to kisi aur ki sun the hi nahinm" he explained.

"Ayaan. Meri baat guar se suno."

* * * * * * *

Zoya shot up to her feet and ran. She ran as fast as her legs would take her. The wind hitting her face as she sprinted on the concrete roads, dodging people here and there. No, I can't let this happen, it's not true. I know it's not true. Tanveer you'll never get away with this. If it's the last thing I do, I will stop this. I will stop this nikaah.

She turned around the corner, as she saw her destination come closer to her. She flew through the gates of the villa and made her way hastily to the front door. She stopped in front of the door, taking a deep breath, bracing herself for what would come next. Hoping, praying, that she was in time.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"RUKHO!!!!"

* * * * * * *

Zoya was greeted with a beautifully decorated living room. Flowers everywhere, lights and garlands. The only people in the room, however, we're Asad, Tanveer, Dilshad and Najma, and of course the Qaazi Sahab. Asad and Tanveer were sitting across from each other on the

Everyone turned to look at the door. Asad's heart stopped. His breathing hitched as he took in the sight before him. Zoya...?

"Rukho, Mr. Khan! Aap Tanveer se yeh nikaah nahin kar sakte hain!"

"Zoya..." whispered flabbergasted Asad. He was stunned. She was the last person he expected to see here. And today of all days.

"Zoya?" said Dilshad and Najma in unison.

Zoya walked up to Asad's side of the translucent veil separating him from Tanveer. She held out her hand for him to take. He looked down at her hand, and back into her eyes. She looked him in the eyes, earnestly. Seeing her pleading look, he obliged and took her hand. The electric current the coursed through their bodies was a somehow comforting.

Tanveer was seething. She was shocked. She though Zoya was dead! How is she alive? I saw her fall off the cliff myself! She looked at Zoya, her eyes mirror her rage and surprise. Dilshad saw this, but kept mum. She was sure Tanveer was up to something. But now that Zoya was here, she knew it would be fine. She didn't know why, but she had a gut feeling that Zoya was here as their angel, to set things straight.

"Zoya..." managed Asad.

"Mr. Khan, kya aap mujh par bharosa karte hain?" asked Zoya, with questioning eyes.

Asad was taken aback. Of all the things she could say. She was asking him this? It was the saddest reality of his life. Only after he lost her, did he realize her value. And that trust, was the most important thing when you love someone.

"Jee. Mujhe aap par, khud se bhi zyaada bharosa hai," he replies huskily. No hesitation. No second guessing. He'd believe her. No matter what she said, he decided.

Zoya smiled a little. A sad smile. It took them all this turmoil to truly trust each other.

"Mr. Khan, aapne mujhe dhokha nahin diya. Uss raat," Zoya looked down, but then looked up at him again, "aapke aur Tanveer ke beech kuch nahin hua tha."

The words rang in Asad's ears. All sorts of thoughts raced through his mind. How, what... why?

"Lekin-" he started. But Zoya stopped him.

"I know, Mr. Khan. Everything points to that. Lekin mera yakeen kije. Aapne aisa kuch nahin kiya. Aap Tanveer se issi liye nikaah kar rahe hai, na? Kyun ki woh umeed se hai?" asked Zoya, feeling a weight being lifted off, as she finally set the record straight.

Asad's eyes widened. How does she know that!? I had only told Ammi and Najma... I didn't even tell Ayaan!

"Haan, Mr. Khan, mein jaanti hoon. Aapne kisi ko nahin bataya tha. Lekin phir bhi mujhe pata chala. Jaante hai kyun?" asked Zoya, feeling a little bad. She would be saving him, but at the same time he'd be affected by this. The person he trusted blindly, was actually a fraud. But she had to.

Asad turned to see Tanveer, who was looking down, while keeping her fringes from touching her forehead. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, as if, as if she was nervous? Asad's head was spinning. He didn't understand what was going on. Why would Tanveer lie? And if that night was a lie, then...

Seeing him speechless, Zoya continued. "Woh issi liye, Mr. Khan, kyunki Tanveer do meine se jaanti hai ki woh ma banne wali hai." She took a deep breath. Here we go. "Usne, aapko, aapko drug kiya. Aur issi liye aapko kuch yaad nahin hai. Usne mere hone ka nataak kiya, aur aap behosh hone se pehle sochne lage that it was me." As she said those last few words, Zoya looked in Tanveer's direction.

Dilshad and Najma were seething at this point. How can someone stoop so low! How can someone they've known for so long, turn out to be the most conniving and disgusting person they've ever met.

Asad's head was spinning even more. He remembered thinking Zoya was there that night. He remembered being hit on the head. Those few details were engraved into his mind. Never to be forgotten, along with those of the morning after. But hearing Zoya say that he was drugged, brought up a small memory he's neglected to notice. The pinch. The small prick he felt right before passing out. Was that it? Had he really been drugged? But Tanveer was in front of him!

"Mr. Khan, meri taraf dekhie." Asad looked up at Zoya. "Agar mein yakeen ke saath nahin keh pati, ki aap begunna hai, ki aapne koi bhi galati nahin ki, ki aapne mujhe, ya apne aap ko kisi bi tara ka dhoka nahi diya hai. Toh kiya mein aaj aapke saamne khari hoti? Would I be asking you to believe me? Jab meine aapse kaha tha, ki mujhe woh raat hi yaad aati hai, aur uski wajese mein aapke wapas nahin aa sakti thi. To kiya aapko nahin lagta, ki meri koi waja hai? Mein aapke aankhein khol na chati hoon, Mr. Khan. Khuda ke liye, ek baar. Bas ek baar, mujh par bharosa karke dekhie." She looked at him with pleading eyes. Pleading him to believe her. Pleading him to open his eyes to the truth. Pleading him to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Just then, they all heard the front door open. And standing at the entrance, was Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan.

Asad's eyes we're blazing. What in God's name, was he doing here? He caught Zoya and Mr. Rashid Khan looking at each other. He knows? What is going on here? Asad's anger was rising by the minute. Anger at the idea of all that Zoya was saying being true. Anger at himself for being so blind. Anger at Tanveer for lying. And finally, anger at Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan, for setting foot in his home.

"Mr. Khan, I know aapko yeh bohot ajeeb lag raha hai. Lekin," she took a folder from Rashid and handed it to Asad, "kuch bhi bolne se pehle, aap yeh file parhie." He looked up at her, his eyes confused, on so many levels. "Please," begged Zoya.

Asad took the file from her, but said nothing. He was too overwhelmed to say anything. The only thing keeping him sane, was the possibility, that if this was true, then he didn't cheat Zoya. He didn't become his father. He didn't hurt the people he loved the most.

He slowly opened the file, and carefully flipped through the pages.

Tanveer was sweating at this point. How did it come to this?, she thought. Everything was going so smoothly! How did Zoya survive? She was done for!

After about five minutes, Asad closed the file. He was numb. Tanveer had been pregnant for over two months. Which meant one thing. He was innocent. She had lied to him. His best friend, his only friend, had betrayed him. Why? She knew he loved Zoya. She knew how miserable he was without her. Why did she lie?

And then Asad realized, he didn't care. It didn't matter. All he cared about, was that Zoya was here. And he was innocent. But then again, he wasn't. He may not have betrayed her with Tanveer, but he had betrayed her but never putting any faith in her words. How many times had she warned him? How many times had she insisted that he believe her!

Asad's eyes moistened, as he balled his hands into fists. He handed the file to Zoya, looked her in the eye, and mouthed a small sorry. Zoya smiled. She closed and opened her eyes, understanding what Asad was going through.

Asad walked over to Tanveer, who was shaking with fear at this point. He grabbed her by the arm, and dragged her to the door. She struggled at first, but seeing the fury, the unadulterated loathing and rage in his eyes, she immediately gave in.

"Aaj ke baad, agar tumne kabhi bhi, iss ghar, iss sheher ke taraf murkar bhi dekha, to mein bhul jaoonga, ki tum, na to sirf ma bane wali ho, ,balki yeh bhi bul jaoonga ki tum aurat ho," spat out a raging Asad.

"Jammy meri-" but she didn't finish. A stinging pain on her cheek left her speechless.

Asad gave her a glare as if a thousand daggers had been thrown in her direction. Tanveer shut her mouth, and looked down, her eyes darting side to side. Rashid walked up to her, and grabbed her by the arm. And he unceremoniously dragged out of the Khan Villa, kicking and screaming.

Asad looked towards Zoya, his tears streaming freely, mirroring hers. They both walked towards each other, one slow step at a time.

"Zoya..." managed Asad, before they both wrapped each other in their arms, never wanting to let go. Dilshad and Najma were both in tears. Tears of happiness.

Asad held her close. He broke the hug and cupped her face. He'd no longer be careful. He'd no longer be shy. He had the love of his life in his arms, and he made a silent prayer, vowing to never let her. He thanked Allah a thousand times, for answering his due. Meri dua Qubool hui, maula. Aapke fizul se, meri Zoya meri takdeer mein wapas likh gayi.

He kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes. Zoya looked back at him, her eyes mirroring his happiness, his relief and both their loved for each other.

"I love you, Mr. Khan. I love you," she said, her voice cracking.

Asad closed his eyes, savoring the words. Relishing in the feeling of his Zoya requiting his love. He took her hand, and guided her to sit where his bride was moments ago. Zoya blushed, she took her dupatta, and draped it over her head.

Asad slowly made his way back to his respective seat. He motioned the Qaazi sahab to continue, but with a different name.

"Kya aapko Janab Asad Ahmed Khan se yeh nikaah Qubool Hai?" began the Qaazi.

Zoya looked him in the eyes. She felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"Mujhe Jahapana Six Packs, Akdu Ahmed Khan, Qubool Hai, Qubool Hai aur hazaar bar Qubool Hai," replied Zoya, more tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Kya aapko motharma Zoya Farooqui se yeh nikaah Qubool Hai?" asked the Qaazi again.

"Qubool Hai, Mujhe meri Ms. Musibat, Kaneez Zoya Farooqui, Qubool Hai, aur hamesha ke liye, Qubool Hai."

And finally, they were married. Allah had finally united them. Forever.

THE END.

A/N:

I was gonna turn this into a TS seeing how long it became, but I didn't wanna disappoint you guys. So here it is! And see! It was REALLY long! 4750 words! Phew! Hope you liked it! 😃